• [email protected]

MylilePet

  • SHOP
  • STORIES
Menu
  • SHOP
  • STORIES
Search
  • Health&Wellness
  • Maintenance
  • Breeds
  • Training
  • Nutrition
  • Lifestyle

Understanding Intermittent Fasting For Dogs

  • April 15, 2024

Is Intermittent Fasting For Dogs A Good Idea?

Intermittent Fasting has become increasingly popular worldwide due to its potential health benefits for humans. For centuries, fasting has been a prevalent practice in various cultures, primarily as a religious observance. Recent human studies have examined the health benefits of fasting, and the outcomes have been predominantly positive and noteworthy.

As a result, many fitness enthusiasts are embracing fasting as a means of accomplishing their fitness objectives and benefiting from the various advantages associated with it.

Through this article, our objective is to explore whether our treasured dogs could also gain advantages from this style of eating regimen. So let’s get into it!

What is Intermittent Fasting for Dogs?

Just like for humans, Intermittent fasting aka Time-Restricted Eating for dogs is a feeding strategy in which dogs are fed their daily food in a restricted time period, followed by a longer period of fasting.

The goal of intermittent fasting for dogs is to mimic the natural eating patterns of wild dogs and wolves, who typically hunt and eat in a feast-or-famine pattern.
In the wild, animals do not follow a regular eating schedule like our pet dogs. Instead, they adopt a feast-or-famine pattern based on the availability of their prey. They also have an innate sense of when to stop eating and focus on resting to eliminate toxins and promote self-healing.

You may have observed a similar behavior in your own dog, where they refuse to eat their favorite food when they’re unwell.

In the wild, the animal either heals itself by prioritizing rest and healing or succumbs to its illness, depending on its overall health status.

What are the benefits of intermittent fasting for dogs?

Intermittent fasting for dogs has been shown to have some potential health benefits, such as promoting weight loss, improving insulin sensitivity, reducing inflammation, and increasing lifespan in some animal studies.

  1. Weight loss: Intermittent fasting can help dogs lose weight and maintain a healthy body weight by reducing the amount of food they eat and increasing their metabolism.
  2. Improved digestion: Giving the digestive system a break during fasting periods may help reduce digestive problems such as constipation, diarrhea, and vomiting in some dogs.
  3. Improved insulin sensitivity: Intermittent fasting has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and regulate blood sugar levels in dogs. This may help reduce the risk of developing insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
  4. Reduced inflammation: Some studies have shown that intermittent fasting can reduce inflammation in the body, which may help prevent chronic health conditions in dogs.
  5. Increased lifespan: Animal studies have suggested that intermittent fasting may increase lifespan by promoting cellular repair and reducing oxidative stress.

Allowing your dog to fast gives their body a respite from food digestion and enables them to focus on healing through their immune system.

What is the best fasting window for dogs?

Intermittent fasting for dogs can take different forms, but the most common approach is to feed the dog one or two large meals a day, with a fasting period of 12-24 hours or 8-16 hours between meals.

For example, if you follow a 8-16 hours fasting window, this is what it could look like

  • Feed your dog his first meal at 8 a.m. 
  • Feed your dog his second meal at 4 p.m

You may give a small snack between their meals but nothing except water between 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. the following day. This will mean your dog’s eating window will be for 8 hours (between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and fasting window will be for 16 hours (between 4 p.m. and 8 a.m. the next day).

You may also follow intermittent fasting 2-3 times a week instead of daily to start with.

Some dog parents also choose to implement a 24-hour fast once a week or once a month.

We recommend starting with a smaller window such as 12-14 hour and gradually increasing the fasting window over time. 

For sick or old dogs, use a shorter fasting window (13-15 hours) compared to long fasts (24 hours and above).

It’s crucial that your dog should have access to fresh & clean drinking water the whole time.

It’s important to remember that you’re doing this for your dog’s good health and it will take for your dog a couple of weeks to get used to it. 

Is It Safe To Fast A Dog?

Intermittent fasting is generally considered safe for all adult dogs (not for puppies) unless your dog has any underlying health conditions. 

It’s advisable to consult your veterinarian to  determine if your dog is a good candidate for fasting or not. You may also consult a canine nutritionist to guide you through the fasting process and also to create a customised fasting schedule for your dog based on her dietary requirements.

Have you tried or would you try intermittent fasting for your dog? Share your thoughts in the comment below!

Some animal studies on fasting:

Animal studies have been conducted on rodents, monkeys, and other species to examine the effects of fasting on their health and lifespan.

For example, a study published in the journal Cell Metabolism in 2014 found that mice that followed an intermittent fasting regimen lived longer and had better health outcomes than mice that ate a regular diet. Another study published in the journal Nature Communications in 2016 found that fasting increased lifespan and improved cognitive function in fruit flies.

While these studies are not directly applicable to dogs, they do provide valuable insights into the potential health benefits of intermittent fasting for animals. It’s important to note that more research is needed to fully understand the effects of intermittent fasting on dogs and other animal species.

Relevant articles to read on diet tips for dogs

How much should I feed my dog?

Summer Diet Tips for Dogs & Clearing Up Some Misconceptions

What to feed your dog in Winters?

 

Share:

Trending Posts

Dog grooming pet cleaning hibiscrub

Hibiscrub: An Essential Product for Keeping Your Pets Healthy in 2023

boddy Dog Cooling Mat

7 Benefits of a Dog Cooling Mat: Keeping Your Pet Comfortable in Hot Weather

natures menu dog food pet organic meal

Natures Menu: The Benefits of Feeding Your Pet a Natural Diet 2023

A Guide to Optimal Pet Nutrition

A Guide to Optimal Pet Nutrition: Uncovering Nature’s Bounty

dog's behaviors understand dog body language

The N° 1 Comprehensive Guide to Dog’s behavior: Understanding Your Dog Body Language

Most popular cute dog breeds in America

The Top 10 Most Popular Cute Dog Breeds in America

Best lint roller

7 Best Lint Roller in 2023: An Essential Grooming Tool for Pet Owners

10 Tips for Keeping Your Dog’s Coat Healthy and Shiny

feline friend cat nutruition cat food

The Ultimate Guide to Cat Nutrition: What to Feed Your Feline Friend

how to train your dog

How to Train Your Dog: A Beginner’s Guide for best dog training 2023

The Importance of Regular Pet Vet Visits

The Importance of Regular Pet Vet Visits: Best guide for Your Pet’s Health

Send Us A Message

PrevPrevious
NextNext
  • Breeds

A Guide to Celebrating a Happy, Healthy & Safe Diwali with Pets

A Love Letter From My Dog – Valentine’s Day Special

Can dogs smell fear?

Tips to keep pets safe & stress-free during Diwali, Christmas & Festive Season

A complete guide to superfoods for dogs – Part 1

Finding Suzi’s Mommy

« Previous Page1 Page2 Page3 Page4 Page5 Next »
  • Nutrition
Canidae Dog Food honnest review

Canidae Dog Food: Uncovering the Pros and Cons for Your Canine Companion

Merrick Dog Food review

Merrick Dog Food: Is it Worth the Bark? An Honest Assessment

natures menu dog food pet organic meal

Natures Menu: The Benefits of Feeding Your Pet a Natural Diet 2023

Orijen Dog Food honest review

Orijen Dog Food: The Honest Truth Behind its Ingredients and Effectiveness

Wellness Dog Food review

Wellness Dog Food: Is It Worth the Hype? An In-Depth Review

Arden Grange Dog Food review

Arden Grange Dog Food: An Unbiased Review and Analysis

« Previous Page1 Page2 Page3 Next »
  • Health & Wellness
Canine Influenza my little pet

Canine Influenza: Is Your Dog at Risk? Learn How to Recognize and Combat It

fat cats owners

5 Most Common Health Problems in Cats: A Guide to How to Prevent Them

The Importance of Regular Pet Vet Visits

The Importance of Regular Pet Vet Visits: Best guide for Your Pet’s Health

Urinary Tract Infections in Dogs my little pet

The Scoop on Urinary Tract Infections in Dogs: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Care

Canine Parvovirus my little pet

Unmasked: Understanding the Threat of Canine Parvovirus and How to Protect Your Dog

Ear Infections in Dogs my little pet

Ear Infections in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms, and Effective Treatment Options

« Previous Page1 Page2 Page3 Next »
  • Maintenance
Grooming hacks my little pet

Grooming Hacks for Busy Dog Owners 2023: Keeping Your Pup Fresh and Clean

Shedding Light on Dog Grooming my little pet

Shedding Light on Dog Grooming: Managing Fur and Dander 2023

The Ultimate Guide to Dog Grooming 2023

The Ultimate Guide to Dog Grooming 2023: Tips, Techniques, and Tools

Dog grooming pet cleaning hibiscrub

Hibiscrub: An Essential Product for Keeping Your Pets Healthy in 2023

Grooming Dos and Don'ts my little pet

Grooming Dos and Don’ts: Common Mistakes to Avoid When Grooming Your Dog

Yorkshire terrier grooming my little pet

Grooming 101: Mastering the Basics for a Well-Groomed Dog

« Previous Page1 Page2 Page3 Next »
  • Training
Pawsitive Reinforcement my little pet

Pawsitive Reinforcement: Building a Strong Bond through Reward-Based Dog Training 2023

how to train your dog

How to Train Your Dog: A Beginner’s Guide for best dog training 2023

Psychology Behind Canine Behavior

The Intriguing Psychology Behind Canine Behavior: Understanding your Dog

the Art of Dog Training

Mastering the Art of Dog Training: Proven Techniques for Obedient Pups

dog's behaviors understand dog body language

The N° 1 Comprehensive Guide to Dog’s behavior: Understanding Your Dog Body Language

Train Like a Pro: Expert Tips for Successful Dog Training

« Previous Page1 Page2 Page3 Next »
  • Lifestyle
Psychology Behind Canine Behavior

The Intriguing Psychology Behind Canine Behavior: Understanding your Dog

how to train your dog

How to Train Your Dog: A Beginner’s Guide for best dog training 2023

Cat Names That Capture the Purr-sonality of Your Feline Companion

dog cooling mats beating summer heat

Dog Cooling Mats: The Secret to Beating the Summer Heat for Your Canine

Pet Shops Near Me

Finding the Best Pet Shops Near Me: A Comprehensive 2023 Guide!

Unique Pet Names: Unleashing Your Imagination for One-of-a-Kind Choices

« Previous Page1 Page2 Page3 Next »

Didn't find what you need? Use the search!

Advices and Tips for your lovely Furry Friends. Feel free to contact us.

INFORMATION

  • Know More About Us
  • Visit Store
  • Let’s Connect
  • Locate Stores
  • Know More About Us
  • Visit Store
  • Let’s Connect
  • Locate Stores

PRIVACY

  • Privacy Policy
  • Shipping Details
  • Offers Coupons
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Shipping Details
  • Offers Coupons
  • Terms & Conditions

CATEGORIES

  • SHOP
  • STORIES
  • SHOP
  • STORIES

NEWSLETTER

Subscribe to our mailing list. We send good offers and our newest products.

Payment Methods

  • Mastercard
  • Visa
  • PayPal
  • Payoneer
  • American Express
  • American Express
  • American Express

My little Pet ©2023 All right Reserved

  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies
  • Disclaimer